BOULDER — Kaidon Salter finally laughed last. Pat Shurmur finally rolled the dice. And CU finally pulled out a close game, at home, against a ranked team.

The Buffs’ frustrating 2025 has life again. Life, a wild, field-storming victory, and a postseason purpose after a 24-17 win over No. 22 Iowa State at Folsom Field.

It’s also got a highlight. A moment.

With 1:47 left in a seven-point game, CU faced a third-and-16 at its 29-yard line. You give the ball back to Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, and anything could happen. Georgia Tech proved that. So did BYU.

Buffs coach Deion Sanders and Shurmur, his offensive coordinator and play-caller, didn’t give the Cyclones that chance.

Salter dropped back and found wide receiver Joseph Williams streaking open over the middle of the field. The

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